04-14-2022 Howard Magazine - Flipbook - Page 52
Sharon Jennings-Rojas teaches a class called Healing Presence on the campus of the Maryland University of Integrative Health.
offers more than 20 progressive graduate
degree and certificate programs in a wide
range of disciplines, ranging from herbal
medicine and nutrition, to acupuncture.
Rooted in a holistic philosophy, instruction
is grounded in both traditional wisdom and
contemporary science. Faculty tout what they
describe as a relationship-centered, whole
person approach to health and wellness.
“We’re training the next generation of
healers,” said Sharon Jennings-Rojas, chair of
the Department of Acupuncture and Herbal
Medicine. “One is called to do this work. It’s
really a spiritual mission.”
Jennings-Rojas holds a Master of
Acupuncture, and a doctorate oin Oriental
Medicine from MUIH, as well as a B.A. in
Eastern Philosophy from Vassar College.
To prepare students to achieve full clinical
competency in acupuncture, she and her
colleagues aim to provide an understanding
52 | SPRING 2022 | howardmagazine.com
Acupuncture
involves the insertion
of thin needles
through the skin on
specific anatomical
points of the body.
of the classical and theoretical foundations
of the field. Courses incorporate a mix
of what’s known as Constitutional Five
Element Acupuncture, which is related to the
traditional elements of wood, fire, earth, metal
and water; traditional Chinese medicine,
which includes tai chi and Chinese herbal
products; and contemporary science.
Moreover, students receive supervised
hands-on clinical experience. In the
on-campus Natural Care Center and
community outreach settings, student
interns and professional practitioners deliver
thousands of treatments and consultations
annually.
For instance, there’s a free ear acupuncture
clinic where the public can walk in, several
days a week. In the field of acupuncture, the
ear is viewed as a map of the whole body,
which can help spur healing emotionally and
physically.
“In this day and time, this new level of
compassionate care is calling us all to take
action by making integrative health, inclusive
of acupuncture and other forms of world
medicine, accessible to all people, including
marginalized populations,” said JenningsRojas.
Her own career of three decades and
counting has placed strong emphasis on
grassroots community outreach. Since